FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNMENT:

CREATING A DIGITAL STORY USING PHOTO STORY 3

This collaborative group project represents the last step in completing our
study of immigration and the contribution of immigrants to American culture. You will
have 10 days (approx. 2 weeks) to complete your digital story.

PROCESS
In groups of three, you will complete a digital storybook on a notable or famous
immigrant highlighting his/her contribution(s) to American culture and/or society
using Photo Story 3. With Photo Story 3, you can use photos, text, narration, and different
effects to give the finished product a “movie-like” appearance. It is very similar to a Power
Point presentation. Once your digital story is completed, you will present your story to
your parents and classmates.

 Since this is a collaborative process, it is expected that all groups will communicate with
another during the research phase and actual creation of the digital story in order to
exchange ideas and information that will benefit and extend everyone’s knowledge of
technology and various types of media.

Assigning Tasks
It will be easier if each group member is assigned a specific task such as:

 Writer
 Designer(Photos, effects)
 Editor
 Narrator

All group members will be responsible for research.

The Story
Your group will conduct research on a “notable immigrant.” You will write your story
as an oral history – spoken in the voice of your immigrant. You will “ask” questions of your
immigrant to learn more about him or her. The oral history should reflect any or all
experiences that led to the individual’s contribution.

You decide how you would like to organize your story. You may begin by organizing in one
of two ways:
1. Organize photos/images first and then add text
2. Write the text first and then add photos/images
Research

You will be supplied with a list of Interview Questions to help guide your research. Keep
your research notes in your Social Studies binder (either hand written or typed in Word).
You will be supplied with graphic organizers to help organize your information as well as a
number of recommended texts and websites with which to conduct research.

Images
While answering the interview questions, you will want to gather images/photos that “tell
the story.” Save your images in a folder (name of immigrant) in your documents under My
Pictures. You can upload these photos to Photo Story 3 at any time. If you want, you can
draw your own pictures and scan them into the computer. You can even place short
film clips into Photo Story 3. You must have a minimum of 10-15 photos/images.

REMEMBER – BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!

Storyboarding
By researching the background information of your immigrant and collecting images to tell
the story, you have completed part of the Pre-writing process. Now it is time to plan your
storyboard. Storyboards are visual representations that aid in the creation process of
digital storytelling. Storyboards lay out images in sequential order (think timeline) to
create the flow of the production. Story board template:

 Pre-writing – Researching, brainstorming, collecting images, outlining,

storyboarding
 Drafting – Creating a script and developing form
 Revising – Changing script, rearranging order of photos
 Editing – Adjusting timing, narration
 Publishing – The final product
Remember – Your images/photos will tell a story. Choose images that relate to the story
you want to tell. Remember to use vivid adjectives and descriptions when writing the
story. Text, music, motion, and other effects can be added as well.

Final Product

The rubric for this project is shown below. Remember:

 Length of story – should be no more than 5-6 minutes
 Title slide should include name of notable immigrant
 Credits slide should list group members and their titles (ex., writer) as well as
a bibliography (works cited)
 If using text, make sure the font color is darker or bolder than the color of the
photo
 Speak clearly and pace yourself when narrating
 Music volume should not be higher than narration volume

Oral Presentation
On day 11 (scheduled to be a Monday), your group will present the digital story of a
notable immigrant to your classmates and families. Presentations will take place over two
or more class periods on this day. In your presentation consider the following:

 What did your group learn from participating in this project (research,
technology, group work)?
 What did you learn about the immigrant experience overall?
 Reflect on the value of your immigrant’s contribution.
 After watching all of the stories, what theme(s) emerges?
 The presentation should take no more than five (5) minutes. Classmates will
be expected to ask questions of each group. You may use index cards to guide
your presentation.

Your digital stories will also be presented at the annual “We the People” event which will
be held on April 23, 2011 at the Middle School. The stories will stream live on a screen or
Smartboard in the cafeteria. This gives the school community an opportunity to see your
wonderful creations and also ties in with the theme of celebrating all cultures and their
contributions.

Rubric
Your group project will be assessed according to the following Rubric:
 Photo Story Rubric
CATEGORY 4 3
Effectiveness Project is a complete story
10-15 pictures and includes all material
min. to gain a comfortable
understanding of the topic
Title slide
and a satisfying story. All
Credits Slide inc. elements listed on the left
bibliography are included
Narration for every
picture
Complete Story
Creativity Creativity and original
ideas enhance the story in
an innovative way.
Sequencing of Images and story line are
organized in a clear,
Information
logical way. The story is
easy to follow.
Spelling and No misspellings or
grammatical errors.
Grammar
Images Images create a distinct
atmosphere or tone that
matches different parts of
the story.
Narration Pace of narration and
voice quality is consistent.
Narration complements
images.
Technology Use Handled the technology
portions of the project in a
highly effective,
insightful, and responsible
fashion.
Oral Presentation Project was presented in a
clear and concise manner.
Group Work All group members
contributed equally to the
finished product.
2 1
Project is lacking one of Project is missing more Project is lacking
the elements listed on than two elements on several key elements.
the left the left. Story is incomplete.
Most of the slides show Some use of creativity No use of creativity or
creativity and original or original ideas is original ideas is evident
ideas to enhance the evident that enhances that enhances the story.
story. the story.
Most information is Two or more pictures or Information is not
organized in a clear, narration pieces seem organized. No logical
logical way. One out of place, making the sequencing of images
picture or narration story difficult to follow. and narration.
piece seems out of
place. The story can be
followed.
Presentation has 1-2 Presentation has more Presentation has
misspellings or than 2 misspellings and numerous misspellings
grammatical errors. grammatical errors. and grammatical errors.
Images create an An attempt was made to Little or no attempt to
atmosphere or tone that use images to create an use images to create an
matches some parts of atmosphere/tone but it appropriate
the story. needed more work. atmosphere/tone.
Pace of narration and Pace of narration and Pace of narration and
voice quality is voice quality is voice quality is
consistent for majority somewhat consistent. inconsistent throughout
of the time. Narration Narration complements the presentation.
complements images images sometimes. Narration does not
most of the time. complement images.
Handled the technology Handled the technology Did not handle the
portions of the project portions of the project in technology portions of
very proficiently and in a satisfactorily effective, the project in a
an effective, insightful, insightful, and satisfactorily effective,
and responsible fashion. responsible fashion. insightful, and
responsible fashion.
Project was presented in Project was presented in Presentation showed
a somewhat clear and a somewhat lace of preparation.
concise manner. disorganized manner.
Most group members Some group members Group members did not
contributed equally to did much less work than work together as a team.
the project. others.